In Hollywood, those who have been charged for committing a fraud offense may not only be at risk of damaging their professional life, but their personal reputation within their community as well. Luckily, there are legal avenues for those who have been accused of committing this offense.
If you have been charged with a fraud offense, it is imperative to retain the services of one of our trusted Leifert & Leifert Attorneys. A Hollywood fraud Lawyer could work with you to construct a solid defense and advise you on what legal actions you should take.
How is Fraud Defined in Hollywood?
Fraud is a broadly defined criminal offense that encompasses various actions. You may be accused of fraud if you intentionally falsified information or falsely represented a material fact, usually for financial benefit. Any act of concealment, dishonesty, or duping others constitutes fraud under Florida law. Fraud offenses may also contain the following elements:
- Knowledge that the statement or representation was untrue
- The falsity concerned a material fact in the transaction
- Injury to others resulted from the deception
- Others reasonably relied on the false statement or misrepresentation
Fraud schemes can range from cashiers skimming cash to engineering large corporate fraud schemes to defraud investors. A Hollywood fraud Lawyer may be able to defend you if you are facing accusations of fraud and shield you from some or all potential penalties.
What are the Penalties for Fraud?
The range of penalties for fraud also varies widely according to the type of fraud and the value of the losses as a result of the fraud. For example, under Fla. Stat. § 832.05, if you commit fraud by writing bad checks, you could face first-degree Misdemeanor charges. If a bad check is for more than $150, however, or if multiple bad checks add up to this amount, the offense can increase to a third-degree Felony.
Likewise, if you commit identity theft, or criminal use of personal identification information under Fla. Stat. § 817.568, charges may be as lenient as a first-degree Misdemeanor and as severe as a first-degree Felony. Penalties for identity theft rely upon the numbers of persons from whom individuals stole personal identification information and the value of the losses that resulted. A Hollywood fraud Lawyer in may be able to explain the full range of penalties for certain fraud charges and how they might apply to your case.
Common Fraudulent Crimes
Considering the wide range of illegal activities which would be described as fraud, some common types of fraud include tax fraud, mortgage fraud, and credit card fraud.
Tax Fraud
Tax fraud can occur with respect to any Federal or State taxes. You may commit tax fraud by concealing income and failing to report it on tax returns, claiming unlawful deductions, or just failing to file a tax return at all. Tax fraud can result in both civil and criminal penalties.
Mortgage Fraud
Real estate can involve mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and other professionals, as well as investors who have completed fraudulent loan applications. Inflating the appraisal of a piece of real estate to get a larger loan, overstating income, and failing to fully disclose debts and liabilities could lead to a mortgage fraud accusation.
Credit Card Fraud
Like other types of fraud, credit card fraud can have harsh consequences. Credit card fraud can be as simple as physically stealing a credit card and using it without the consent of the owner, or a merchant taking the credit card information from several customers and using it to make unauthorized purchases.
Call a Hollywood Fraud Attorney for Advice
You could face a wide variety of fraud charges under Federal and State law depending on the nature of the allegations against you. Fraud convictions, mainly when they involve large sums of money or multiple people who have lost funds or property due to fraud, could result in lengthy prison sentences, high fines, and restitution orders. When you are facing an investigation on fraud charges, you should consider the merits of enlisting a Hollywood fraud Lawyer for counsel and advice.
Our experienced Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert could carefully examine the charges against you and determine the gravity of your situation.
